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Expat crime

Costa Rican police arrest U.S. men suspected in $9 million scam

The OIJ reported that U.S. officials filed extradition requests for all the suspects in order to take them to North Carolina.

Foreigner caught stealing hours after being detained for threatening neighbors with machete

Police said Andersson was caught in the act of stealing items from a grocery just hours after threatening neighbors with a machete.

Israeli investor accuses U.S. man of heading medical marijuana fraud

According to an official complaint filed March 8, an Israeli investor says Thomas Reeves took $25,000 from him after falsifying licenses and documents.

Accused serial killer ‘Wild Bill’ Holbert asks forgiveness for murders of U.S. expats

Accused serial killer William "Wild Bill" Holbert asked Panamanians to forgive him for his murders because, he said, he only killed expats, rather than citizens of Panama.

Former U.S. convict Dan Fowlie speaks out against being barred entry to Costa Rica again

The former 'King of Pavones' has been denied entry into Costa Rica again, complicating his quest to regain all the beachfront property that was once his in the idyllic hamlet in the country's southwest corner.

Locals in Manuel Antonio prevent robbery of U.S. tourist with citizen’s arrest

An attempted robbery on a U.S. tourist ended with townspeople of Manuel Antonio, Quepos surrounding the would-be thieves in a citizen's arrest.

Notorious crime family members indicted; alleged ties to Costa Rican sportsbook

Members from the famed Genovese crime family were arrested Thursday after being linked to a Costa Rican-based bookmaking operation.

Arrests made in case of murdered Dutch couple and laborer

OIJ officials say they've solved the January case of a Dutch couple and Nicaraguan laborer who were found brutally murdered on their Puntarenas farm.

Cuba Dave found guilty of promoting sex tourism, faces five more years in prison

Sex tourist David Strecker, aka Cuba Dave, was found guilty of violating one count of Costa Rica's Sex Tourism Law in a San José court Wednesday.

On eve of historic sex tourism trial, Cuba Dave is optimistic he’ll be acquitted

David Strecker, aka Cuba Dave, will begin trial Wednesday for accusations that he violated Costa Rica's Sex Tourism Law by "promoting the country as a destination for sexual tourism."

US man shot, killed outside Jacó club

A 38-year-old U.S. man was killed in the Pacific beach town of Jacó outside of a club early Wednesday morning, according to the Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ).

Man arrested for pimping underage prostitutes in Escazú

A 59-year-old Spanish man was arrested in Escazú after a police raid on his hotel found a Nicaraguan sex worker under the age of 16.

Cuba Dave set to finish year in preventive prison on allegations of promoting sex tourism

David "Cuba Dave" Strecker is set to finish out a full year in preventive prison for allegations of promoting sex tourism in Costa Rica. He says he was officially charged Thursday for the first time.

Four U.S. men charged in connection with billion-dollar Costa Rica sportsbook operation

Four U.S. men allegedly running The WagerSpot and Hustler247 sportsbooks were charged recently in the U.S. in connection with an illegal sports betting ring headquartered in San José, Costa Rica.
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Costa Rica beats Nicaragua 3-0 as Bryan Ruiz wins debut on the bench

Costa Rica finally had something to celebrate last night as La Sele defeated Nicaragua 3-0 in Managua, giving Bryan Ruiz a victory in his...

Costa Rica’s New Workplace Harassment Standard Takes Effect Today

A new workplace harassment standard takes effect in Costa Rica today. Here's what changes for employers and workers.

Costa Rica Raises Alert Around Rincón de la Vieja Volcano

Costa Rica has raised the alert level for communities around Rincón de la Vieja Volcano after scientists detected increased volcanic activity, marking a further...

Costa Rica Foreign Investment Jumps 23% as Tourism Investment Falls 27%

Free zones drove a 23.4% rise in Costa Rica's foreign direct investment in the first half of 2026, while tourism investment fell 27%.